Japanese artist Shinkichi Tajiri (1923–2009) led a life and created a body of work that are both rich in paradox. Born in America to Japanese parents, he began his career in Paris, then lived in the Netherlands for half a century. This collection presents six essays that offer various perspectives on the ways that Tajiri’s complicated, overlapping personal identities were transformed through his art into seemingly universal themes.
Table of Contents
Preface
Kris Schiermeier
Introduction
Helen Westgeest
The Fabric of Our Lives
Giotta and Ryu Tajiri
The Knot and the Warrior as Universal Paradoxes
Helen Westgeest
Image section I: Tajiri’s Warriors / Sentinels
Shinkichi Tajiri and the Paradoxes of Japanese American Identity
Greg Robinson
On Exile: Tajiri’s America
Paul M. Farber
Image section II: Tajiri’s Knots
The Berlin Wall as Metaphor
Florian Ebner
Lof van de Onaangepastheid
Herman Pleij
In Praise of Non-conformity (English summary)
Herman Pleij
Image section III: Printed Matter / Exhibitions / Castle Scheres
Appendices:
Biography of Shinkichi Tajiri
Selected solo exhibitions
Selected group exhibitions
Bibliography
Biographies of the authors
Acknowledgements and Photo Credits
Kris Schiermeier
Introduction
Helen Westgeest
The Fabric of Our Lives
Giotta and Ryu Tajiri
The Knot and the Warrior as Universal Paradoxes
Helen Westgeest
Image section I: Tajiri’s Warriors / Sentinels
Shinkichi Tajiri and the Paradoxes of Japanese American Identity
Greg Robinson
On Exile: Tajiri’s America
Paul M. Farber
Image section II: Tajiri’s Knots
The Berlin Wall as Metaphor
Florian Ebner
Lof van de Onaangepastheid
Herman Pleij
In Praise of Non-conformity (English summary)
Herman Pleij
Image section III: Printed Matter / Exhibitions / Castle Scheres
Appendices:
Biography of Shinkichi Tajiri
Selected solo exhibitions
Selected group exhibitions
Bibliography
Biographies of the authors
Acknowledgements and Photo Credits